Have you ever thought you would connect with something that seemed so obvious; then were let down to find out, it wasn't going to happen. You could force it, but you knew it would just remain awkward. I (Denise) knew that coming to Spain would be difficult as I am not an intern. Where would I get adult conversations and the mom-friend reassuring your-not-alone talks? So February came and the novelty of Spain wore off and I hit a low. I was lonely; probably more than I ever have been before! I was feeling, well, I was bitter about how I just did not seem to be connecting with the g42-thing. I was really excited for the amazing and powerful messages and speakers Mike was hearing from. Could I please hear more than the Noah-story-as-told-to-preschoolers for once??!! Then, as March was happening my friendship began to grow with an amazing woman who I met through Rosalia's ballet class. Not only for me, but also a friend for Lia! She and her family are waiting on the Lord, through prayer and petition, for literally where to place their feet next to serve God. And church! Wow! I had not even once thought about attending church while in Spain. I thought I would be 'all set' since I was a part of a group already. Gathering with others to open the Holy Bible and hear the Word of God being shared. Worshipping with Spanish words but the Holy Spirit present is how we are as one. HE who can allow us to connect regardless of barriers; for HE is the one true God. Over all the Earth. God will give us what we need; but it may not be where we are looking. If we ask and seek; are we ready to look for the answer somewhere else?
Was it you who prayed for me?! I had given up on myself; but you didn't and HE most certainly never will. Gracias.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the
Oh wait. It rains at the coast as well. I LOVE "My Fair Lady" (where that song is from), but, not so accurate. I think this may be the first time the weather in Spain is like the weather in New England at the same time. Rainy and blah? Yup, here for a few days. But, to be honest, a nice time out to do indoor stuff is good.
So today I (Denise) looked into UPS/DHL shipping prices to send our things back to the U.S. (and not haul them around the airport.) Also, we started thinking about seeing people and sharing a coffee while we tell them about our time here in Spain. SAY WHA??!! Yes, I was talking about coming home. HUH? Yes, 3.5 months has gone by. Hmmm... I have been thinking about blogging for days now, but feel like I have nothing profound to give you. Nothing to "WOAH" you. But, aren't we still in the middle of the "WOAH"? Didn't we just leave? Yes, yes, I am telling myself that it is ok to be 'in the midst' still. I feel as though I am looking for a clincher sentance to write in this blog and yet; nothing,
Oh. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Right, right.
So today I (Denise) looked into UPS/DHL shipping prices to send our things back to the U.S. (and not haul them around the airport.) Also, we started thinking about seeing people and sharing a coffee while we tell them about our time here in Spain. SAY WHA??!! Yes, I was talking about coming home. HUH? Yes, 3.5 months has gone by. Hmmm... I have been thinking about blogging for days now, but feel like I have nothing profound to give you. Nothing to "WOAH" you. But, aren't we still in the middle of the "WOAH"? Didn't we just leave? Yes, yes, I am telling myself that it is ok to be 'in the midst' still. I feel as though I am looking for a clincher sentance to write in this blog and yet; nothing,
Oh. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Right, right.
Friday, April 15, 2011
STAND UP, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED
... IF YOU'VE GOT MORE TO GIVE, THAN YOU'VE GOT TO PROVE, STAND UP!
IF YOU'VE GOT A DREAM AND A LOT TO DO, THEN PUT YOUR HANDS UP AND I'LL COPY YOU. ...
~Flobots
We had a great privelage at G42 LA this past Monday to hear from two men who patiently waited for God to lead them as they even now continue to step out in Faith each day.
We first heard from the founder and CEO of MATTOO Adrew Hanson (http://www.mattoo.org/) He was in Portugal and decided he simply could not return the States with out coming to see what is happening at G42. Also G42 Alum Stephanie Fisk (http://www.arise2freedom.com/) you may remember from previouse blogs, has returned to Spain to be the the director for MATTOO here in Spain. He was able to further impart his passion to us for ending modern day slavery and Human Trafficking.
MATTOO main goals ( taken from MATTOO.ORG)
Raise Public Awareness - Through educational forums and public events such as rallies and marches, MATTOO enables men to raise awareness on the myths and realities of human trafficking.
Research & Public Policy - Through human trafficking and public policy research, MATTOO provides a more accurate light on the realities of modern-day slavery in order to change public policy and culture
Employ the Power of Business- Through micro-finance and business development initiatives, MATTOO is able to provide hope and empowerment to those formerly trafficked by assisting them in the creation of their own business or by employing them in existing enterprises.
Collaboration Building - Through our strategic partners, MATTOO is able to refer trafficked individuals to transitional housing, vocational training, and after-care facilities.
MATTOO will be having an international human trafficking awareness event on May 14, 2011.The first ever, first annual Demand Change Project is a groundbreaking event that will take place in the USA and Europe for the purpose of educating and engaging men and the general public about the issue of sex-trafficking to decrease the demand for commercial sex and unite the male and female anti-human trafficking movements as a united front against the selling of human beings
Men are asked to donate a minimum of $25 to put their name on the MATTOO banner which will be carried through the streets of Minneapolis to show that MEN want to see an end to this global epademic. They are already expecting over 200 men we are hoping and praying that Thousands will show up.
We are planning a similiar event here in Fuengirola at the beach on May 14, we will be unveiling our MATTOO banner, taking it throught the city and beaches and then will Skype with MATTOO in Minneapolis as they kick-off their event.
For much more information go to:
http://demandchangeproject.org/home_USA.html
http://demandchangeproject.org/home_Spain.html
IF YOU'VE GOT A DREAM AND A LOT TO DO, THEN PUT YOUR HANDS UP AND I'LL COPY YOU. ...
~Flobots
The Men of G42 signing our names in agreement with MATTOO logo to bring order to chaos and work to educate others and fight to end human trafficking.
We had a great privelage at G42 LA this past Monday to hear from two men who patiently waited for God to lead them as they even now continue to step out in Faith each day.
We first heard from the founder and CEO of MATTOO Adrew Hanson (http://www.mattoo.org/) He was in Portugal and decided he simply could not return the States with out coming to see what is happening at G42. Also G42 Alum Stephanie Fisk (http://www.arise2freedom.com/) you may remember from previouse blogs, has returned to Spain to be the the director for MATTOO here in Spain. He was able to further impart his passion to us for ending modern day slavery and Human Trafficking.
MATTOO main goals ( taken from MATTOO.ORG)
Raise Public Awareness - Through educational forums and public events such as rallies and marches, MATTOO enables men to raise awareness on the myths and realities of human trafficking.
Research & Public Policy - Through human trafficking and public policy research, MATTOO provides a more accurate light on the realities of modern-day slavery in order to change public policy and culture
Employ the Power of Business- Through micro-finance and business development initiatives, MATTOO is able to provide hope and empowerment to those formerly trafficked by assisting them in the creation of their own business or by employing them in existing enterprises.
Collaboration Building - Through our strategic partners, MATTOO is able to refer trafficked individuals to transitional housing, vocational training, and after-care facilities.
MATTOO will be having an international human trafficking awareness event on May 14, 2011.The first ever, first annual Demand Change Project is a groundbreaking event that will take place in the USA and Europe for the purpose of educating and engaging men and the general public about the issue of sex-trafficking to decrease the demand for commercial sex and unite the male and female anti-human trafficking movements as a united front against the selling of human beings
Men are asked to donate a minimum of $25 to put their name on the MATTOO banner which will be carried through the streets of Minneapolis to show that MEN want to see an end to this global epademic. They are already expecting over 200 men we are hoping and praying that Thousands will show up.
We are planning a similiar event here in Fuengirola at the beach on May 14, we will be unveiling our MATTOO banner, taking it throught the city and beaches and then will Skype with MATTOO in Minneapolis as they kick-off their event.
For much more information go to:
http://demandchangeproject.org/home_USA.html
http://demandchangeproject.org/home_Spain.html
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A horse by any other name...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
'excuse me, I left my Methadone tablets in the trash'
That's what 'Scott*' said after he had left the soup kitchen twice already. He had convinced his girlfriend and her inheritance to leave mother England and move with him to the Costa de Sol to start a business and enjoy life in the sun.
So came they did, started a business, enjoyed life and got hooked on heroin and they lost everything. Sarah* got a family member or friend to finally buy her a one way ticket out of paradise and into prison. Back in England an unpaid ticket landed her in a rehab center, she said she couldn't be happier, 3 meals a day, someone to talk to about her troubles and getting clean.
Scott showed up late for dinner and later than he should have for a shower. He wanted to shave also, probably hadn't in 2 or 3 weeks, had a cut above his right eye and looked like a bum; ragged and needy.
He took some clean clothes, which would need to last him till at least next week and went for a shave. When he came back we were cleaning up and the soup and bread were gone..all of it. He ended up with 2 small chocolate bars and a cafe con leche...extra sugar.
It was seriously hard to recognize him cleaned up and shaved.
Jenny has been doing this a long time, almost 16 years, it is hard line tough love to look at someone and tell them they know the rules, "come on time next time if you want a warm meal with your shower and shave"... the other 22 people did, (not all came for a shower but they knew they needed food.)
They also heard Peter's story before their meal. Peter first came to "The Ark" 17 years ago, when it was still up where we live in Mijas. He was an alcoholic and had been for a long time. Peter met good people there, including Jesus his Savior, He has been clean since then and was in town visiting his sister and brother-in-law who go to church at The Ark . The Ark also has a thrift store and the first English speaking Christian school in all of Southern Spain, with 47 students. They have had to cut back their soup kitchen services since so many English church members have had to go back to England because of economic hardships.
Jenny,who works at the church and school who ran the soup kitchen for 10 years is really just a 'visiting' chef tonight, She handed over the reins last fall, but came to help with her good friend Sandra, who was visiting from England, they told us how they both had woken up in the morning just feeling sick and knowing they had to come serve Tuesday night, they prayed together that God would send helpers for them to serve that night and help clean up.
Another intern at G42LA, Maryanne (http://www.maryanneyeary.theworldrace.org/) and I had been seperately thinking of going to serve and called our contact, Archangel. Archangel and his wife Elsa are missionaries here from Brazil. They primarily work with the church our family attends Palabras de Poder, 'Words of Power". He tries to help each week with the soup kitchen, before working with the food pantry on Wednesday, which really starts Tuesday night. He drives 45 minutes Tuesday night so he can sleep in his car and wait in queue so when the food distribution starts at 4-5 am the next morning he can be first or second in line and get the choice of best foods for the Palabras food pantry, which is now feeding almost 300 people a week.
I'll tell much more of Archangel and Elsa another time... They are awesome!
Please pray for them, they are depending on God to meet their needs each day, their church in Brazil is helping them, but they need to make an unscheduled trip to Brazil for a family funeral and for their daughter Ana's wedding,(she is here, teaches Lia Ballet and the intern Spanish classes and also graduated G42LA and is engaged to a another graduate who is from USA.)
So Scott came back in again, after Jenny talked with Sarah who said she would wire money to Jenny to buy Scott a plane ticket back to England. He needed to look through the bags of dirty clothes and find his pants he had left 4 methadone tabs in a pocket.
*names have been changed
I left knowing that I need more humility in my life if I truly want to be more like Christ. I alone am held responsible for choosing each day to walk with God, to be in a Right relationship with our Lord and Creator.
ALSO... PRAISE THE LORD !!
Our friends Holly and Eric have a beautiful, healthy baby boy :
Bowen Thomas on March 27th
and he has an awesome older sister!
So came they did, started a business, enjoyed life and got hooked on heroin and they lost everything. Sarah* got a family member or friend to finally buy her a one way ticket out of paradise and into prison. Back in England an unpaid ticket landed her in a rehab center, she said she couldn't be happier, 3 meals a day, someone to talk to about her troubles and getting clean.
Scott showed up late for dinner and later than he should have for a shower. He wanted to shave also, probably hadn't in 2 or 3 weeks, had a cut above his right eye and looked like a bum; ragged and needy.
He took some clean clothes, which would need to last him till at least next week and went for a shave. When he came back we were cleaning up and the soup and bread were gone..all of it. He ended up with 2 small chocolate bars and a cafe con leche...extra sugar.
It was seriously hard to recognize him cleaned up and shaved.
Jenny has been doing this a long time, almost 16 years, it is hard line tough love to look at someone and tell them they know the rules, "come on time next time if you want a warm meal with your shower and shave"... the other 22 people did, (not all came for a shower but they knew they needed food.)
They also heard Peter's story before their meal. Peter first came to "The Ark" 17 years ago, when it was still up where we live in Mijas. He was an alcoholic and had been for a long time. Peter met good people there, including Jesus his Savior, He has been clean since then and was in town visiting his sister and brother-in-law who go to church at The Ark . The Ark also has a thrift store and the first English speaking Christian school in all of Southern Spain, with 47 students. They have had to cut back their soup kitchen services since so many English church members have had to go back to England because of economic hardships.
Jenny,who works at the church and school who ran the soup kitchen for 10 years is really just a 'visiting' chef tonight, She handed over the reins last fall, but came to help with her good friend Sandra, who was visiting from England, they told us how they both had woken up in the morning just feeling sick and knowing they had to come serve Tuesday night, they prayed together that God would send helpers for them to serve that night and help clean up.
Another intern at G42LA, Maryanne (http://www.maryanneyeary.theworldrace.org/) and I had been seperately thinking of going to serve and called our contact, Archangel. Archangel and his wife Elsa are missionaries here from Brazil. They primarily work with the church our family attends Palabras de Poder, 'Words of Power". He tries to help each week with the soup kitchen, before working with the food pantry on Wednesday, which really starts Tuesday night. He drives 45 minutes Tuesday night so he can sleep in his car and wait in queue so when the food distribution starts at 4-5 am the next morning he can be first or second in line and get the choice of best foods for the Palabras food pantry, which is now feeding almost 300 people a week.
I'll tell much more of Archangel and Elsa another time... They are awesome!
Please pray for them, they are depending on God to meet their needs each day, their church in Brazil is helping them, but they need to make an unscheduled trip to Brazil for a family funeral and for their daughter Ana's wedding,(she is here, teaches Lia Ballet and the intern Spanish classes and also graduated G42LA and is engaged to a another graduate who is from USA.)
So Scott came back in again, after Jenny talked with Sarah who said she would wire money to Jenny to buy Scott a plane ticket back to England. He needed to look through the bags of dirty clothes and find his pants he had left 4 methadone tabs in a pocket.
*names have been changed
I left knowing that I need more humility in my life if I truly want to be more like Christ. I alone am held responsible for choosing each day to walk with God, to be in a Right relationship with our Lord and Creator.
ALSO... PRAISE THE LORD !!
Our friends Holly and Eric have a beautiful, healthy baby boy :
Bowen Thomas on March 27th
and he has an awesome older sister!
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